Denver Broncos head coach John Fox said he likes what he’s seen from running back Montee Ball, who is practicing for the first time since suffering a groin injury.
The Denver Broncos may soon have a crowded backfield once again as Montee Ball is practicing for the first time since suffering a major groin injury in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach John Fox says he likes what he’s seen of Ball and thinks the second-year running back could get some game-time reps once he’s ready, especially if starter Ronnie Hillman continues to struggle in some key areas.
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“He reshaped his body a bit,” Fox said of Ball, per Mike Klis of the Denver Post. “He did have an earlier issue with an appendectomy. He’s had some time here to get back to the weight and condition where he wanted to be, and that’s been a positive.”
Klis doesn’t expect Ball to play in the team’s Week 10 match against the Oakland Raiders, but Week 11 seems a distinct possibility. The timing would be great as the team could use some help in pass protection. While starter Ronnie Hillman has done great things running and receiving in Ball’s absence, his blocking has left plenty to be desired, as the New England Patriots showed when they swarmed Peyton Manning to the point where the team put Julius Thomas in the backfield to help block.
That said, Hillman is still clearly the feature back in Denver. Even before his injury, Montee Ball had not impressed as a runner and unless he can make big gains on what few touches he gets this week and next, expect Hillman to get the lion’s share of touches in the Broncos backfield. If Ball can improve in other areas though, he could certainly carve a new niche as the Broncos roll toward the NFL playoffs.
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